neutrophil

1 of 2

adjective

neu·​tro·​phil ˈnü-trə-ˌfil 

ˈnyü-

variants or neutrophilic

ˌnü-trə-ˈfi-lik 

ˌnyü-

: staining to the same degree with acid or basic dyes

neutrophil granulocytes

neutrophil

2 of 2

noun

: a granulocyte that is the chief phagocytic white blood cell of the blood

Examples of neutrophil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Boosts Immune Health Vitamin A is essential for developing immune cells known as neutrophils and macrophages, which fight off illnesses.1 Vitamin A also plays a role in the mucosal barrier, which protects your body from organisms that can cause illness. —Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 19 Feb. 2025

The researchers found that giving tocilizumab before reperfusion reduced blood neutrophil levels and MI size more markedly in men than in women. —New Atlas, 16 Feb. 2025

The activation of mast cells can frequently lead to inflammation and the itch response thanks to their recruitment of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell also involved with the body's immune response. —Michael Franco, New Atlas, 31 Jan. 2025

Their ears also filled with inflammatory immune cells called neutrophils. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary neutro- (from Latin neutr-, neuter neither) + -phil

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1897, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

neutrophil

noun

neu·​tro·​phil

ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌfil

: a cell with fine grains in it that is the white blood cell doing most of the work in collecting and taking in stray and foreign matter

Medical Definition

neutrophil

1 of 2 adjective

neu·​tro·​phil ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌfil 

variants or neutrophilic

ˌn(y)ü-trə-ˈfil-ik 

also neutrophile

ˈn(y)ü-trə-ˌfīl 

: staining to the same degree with acid or basic dyes

neutrophil granulocytes

neutrophil

2 of 2 noun

variants also neutrophile

: a granulocyte that is the chief phagocytic white blood cell